Remembering “Princess Di”
• February 27, 2014

Marsha and Rafik Muawwad invited friends to a dinner buffet on Nov. 5 in honor of Patrick Jephson, the first and only Private Secretary to HRH The Princess of Wales, the late beloved Princess Diana. Marsha introduced her honoree by noting that the date was actually that of the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot and said “can you imagine the party if they had succeeded in blowing up politicians?” Currently a New York Times best-selling author and ABC News contributor, the honoree fascinated guests as he shared insider comments saying “I think of Diana as the queen we never had.” He spoke of her as “the most streetwise person I ever met.” [gallery ids="118598,118576,118603,118608,118583,118590,118614" nav="thumbs"]

Arts for the Aging 25th Anniversary Gala
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Ambassador of Switzerland H. E. Manuel Sager and Mrs. Christine Sager hosted the celebration “Cherishing Silver” on Nov. 5 at their residence. Artist Bill Dunlap served as Gala Host Committee Chair. The evening paid tribute to AFTA founder Lolo Sarnoff, the 97-year-old doyenne of the Washington scene, accomplished artist, scientist, entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist. Ambassador Donald T. Bliss received the 5th Annual Sarnoff Award for distinguished philanthropy, community service and engagement in the arts. The program included a performance of works from cabaret, film and stage. Arts for the Aging is Washington’s premier organization for bringing arts engagements to the elderly. [gallery ids="101567,148617,148614,148609,148605,148600,148597,148632,148626,148592,148630,148622" nav="thumbs"]

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company Preview
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Renowned “dance maker” Dana Tai Soon Burgess, along with his internationally recognized dance company, made history this month as the first choreographer-in-residence at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. A private preview of Burgess’s latest work “Homage,” inspired by the NPG’s exhibition “Dancing the Dream,” was held on Nov. 6 following a private reception at Pepco’s Edison Gallery with NPG Director Kim Sajet and Curator Amy Henderson, as well as honored guests and supporters. The work later premiered for the public and will be part of the dance company’s evening-length shows at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater on Feb. 7 and 8. [gallery ids="101566,148640,148634,148638" nav="thumbs"]

27th Annual Lombardi Gala
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On Nov. 2, the annual Lombardi Gala, focused on raising funding and awareness for cancer research, education and treatment benefitting Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, drew nearly 1,000 elegantly attired guests to the Washington Hilton. While the cause is sobering, the gala delivered a festive night of dinner and dancing peppered with a competitive silent auction of hundreds of items, the annual raffle of a Lexus and awards bestowed on remarkable individuals for their contributions in the fight against cancer. [gallery ids="101565,148645,148643" nav="thumbs"]

Opera Camerata of Washington Presents La Bohème
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Ambassador Matthysen acknowledged that turning the embassy residence, “a house built for a family,” into an opera house for 120 guests had been “quite challenging for the musicians and for the house.” The transformation proved a great success on Nov. 16 as Opera Camerata of Washington presented Giacomo Puccini’s beloved La Bohème. Following a cocktail reception and seated dinner, narrator Robin Phillips elegantly set the scene as Russian born soprano Olga Orlovskaya and Mexican tenor Jesús Daniel Hernández pledged their love. Now in its 23rd year, Opera Camerata’s In-School Programs bring opera and classical music into the school systems without charge. [gallery ids="118605,118642,118635,118628,118666,118660,118655,118620,118612,118649" nav="thumbs"]

Local Favorite Benetton Celebrates Winter
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Hometown favorite Benetton showed off its Autumn-Winter 2013 collection at its Georgetown flagship at Wisconsin and M. Some of Washington’s most fashionable and their families — many wearing Benetton products — met Benetton USA President and CEO Ari Hoffman, who flew in from New York for the Oct. 30 event.
[gallery ids="101564,148647,148652,148654" nav="thumbs"]

News Women for Helen Thomas
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The American News Women’s Club celebrated one of its own — Helen Thomas — with a celebratory hanging of artwork by Patty Raine, depicting the White House correspondent playing the piano and singing with 10 U.S. presidents. With family and friends on hand Nov. 7, toasts at the club on 22nd Street included priceless and loving remarks about the feisty news legend. [gallery ids="101562,148661,148666,148670,148674,148679,148681" nav="thumbs"]

3 Murders at Evermay Estate?
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Night Nouveau was presented by the S&R Foundation at historic Evermay Estate Nov. 2. Guests
could solve a three-murder mystery or just enjoy the house and gardens and sample whiskey and
specialty cocktails and along with great food. The evening ended with a silent disco in the ballroom
to music provided by Heist deejay, Chuck Koch. The mystery was planned by Joshua Morgan of No
Rules Theater. [gallery ids="101529,150194,150189,150198,150213,150211,150203,150206" nav="thumbs"]

Innocents at Risk Reception
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Suellen and Melvyn Estrin hosted a cocktail reception at their home Oct. 24 to support and join
the fight Innocents at Risk is waging against child trafficking. The hostess spoke of the “magnitude
and inhumanity of child trafficking.” Deborah Sigmund founded the not-for-profit in 2005 to protect
women and children by raising public awareness of the issue which goes under reported and is a
$32-billion industry worldwide. [gallery ids="101530,150177,150164,150187,150181,150168,150172,150184" nav="thumbs"]

Craft2Wear
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The special show and sale of jewelry and wearable art Craft2Wear opened with an invitational Advance Chance Party on Oct. 22 prior to the two-day public exhibit at the National Building Museum. Exhibitors had been previously juried into the Smithsonian Craft Show. The proceeds benefit The Smithsonian Women’s Committee, which through its grant process, supports education, outreach and research programs at the Smithsonian Institution. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99456,99457,99458,99459,99460,99461,99462,99463,99464" nav="thumbs"]